when I went natural...

          I love it that I was questioned for going natural when I was 12-13.  I love it that I was bullied for my afro in high school.  And now it has become a 'trend' supposedly.  Tis why I had a hard time respecting fashion growing up.  Now I see it as art.  It's always been art.  Anywho, I guess what I'm trying to say is, why get mad at the "new naturals" when for the first time in their lives they are getting to know their hair.  They are finally seeing how unique their hair texture is and that it is something not to cover or hide, but flaunt.  Embracing yourself is a very difficult thing for some people.  It was for me.  As far as lifestyle, I understand some people are so busy they don't even have time to look in the mirror.  And I understand that some styles are just easier for them as far as time management.  But everyone's life is unique.  At the time I went natural, it was because I felt like we were all doing it because there was something wrong with our hair.  It was the trend.  Every girl in my class who has afro texture hair had a perm or press by 5th grade.  I figured, 'God made me this way' and there's nothing wrong with not straightening my hair.  There's nothing wrong with my hair not laying down for once.  At the time I was awkward in my skin and hated everything about myself (down to my skin color).  So I did it.  I wanted to see what I looked like natural.

          I did it for several years and in my early 20s I decided to try wigs, weaves, extensions, relaxer again, etc.  And since trying those hairstyles, in my life, those hairstyles have caused me more stress and money than hair ever needs to be or cost.  So for me, natural meant low maintenance.  Waking up with the same head of hair that I went to bed with.  Most of that period I wore my hair natural underneath an amazing lace wig. lol.  I got so tired of not seeing myself.  I got tired of not jumping in the pool.  the rain.  the wind.  Sex in the shower... lol  Anything that would frizz out my freshly straightened and curled weave.  It was even worse when I did all this to look "presentable" and to be deemed attractive and the person I was dating at the time would talk about my natural hair in a condescending tone.  I got tired of hating myself. 

          All in all, not everyone that goes natural is making a statement.  And that is okay too.  Not everyone who is currently natural (or isn't natural) hated or hates themselves like I did.  And that is okay too.  I'm actually glad it is a 'trend' because we are finally getting the market to pay attention to products for curlier kind of hair.  I'm seeing more actresses get hired with their natural hair and it's been awesome.  Some people are attracted to a girl with 'wild' curly hair and some aren't.  If it is looks you are worried about (in going natural), just know sometimes the thing you hate the most about yourself is the very thing that someone is attracted to you for.  My current 4 year relationship is proof of this.

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